Entertainment, banquet venue to open at former Club XS site

La Isla Entertainment plans to open a club and banquet venue at the former Club XS site in North York.

The York County group recently leased 11,246 square feet of the former nightclub, which closed after the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board decided not to renew the nightclub's liquor license.

The new space will be called The Belmont Banquet and Entertainment Venue and hold its grand opening Aug. 30, said co-owner Mike Stepp of La Isla Entertainment -- the company that previously operated the La Isla nightclub on Arsenal Road.

Stepp, a DJ with more than 20 years of experience, said the venue will feature Latino dance parties on Saturdays.

"This is near and dear to our heart," Stepp said. "When you look at the Latino community, there's no where else for them to go."

When it is open to the public, The Belmont will charge cover but allow patrons to bring their own beverages, he added.

"It's an interesting experience," Stepp said. "If you bought a bottle of typical liquor for $35 at the store, you might find that marked up to $100 at a night club.

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But the venue won't be open as a public nightclub all week, he said.

The Belmont will be available on the weekdays for private events, from Zumba classes to business meetings to birthday parties.

"It's in a key location -- a prime spot," Stepp said. "You're right by Route 30 and 83. For someone who wants to do a private party or rental, it's going to be a whole lot better than a fire hall."

On its Facebook page, the club says it will hold a hip-hop party on its opening night with a $10 cover charge from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. It will be open to those 25 and older.

Abe Khan, the leasing agent with Bennett Williams that worked on the deal, said that the building's owner, Joel Weinstein, was originally hoping to sell the facility at 36 to 38 W. 11th Ave.

"We had tons of inquiries on this place," Khan said. "The owner was being very selective. We had lots of showings, lots of interest. These guys stepped up to the plate and did what we needed them to do."

In 2010, The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board decided not to renew the nightclub's liquor license, citing safety concerns regarding a series of fights at the club. Weinstein appealed and, while the case worked its way through the courts, was allowed to keep the bar open.

A Commonwealth Court ruled in favor of the LCB's decision.

Weinstein kept Club XS open and gave away alcohol, which was legal as long as the club didn't charge patrons for drinks.

The state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement eventually seized all liquor, wine, malt or brewed beverages from the club during the execution of a search warrant, according to a news release.